Subtle Trains

This is the front of the quilt. A smaller train applique in the bottom right corner. I used felt to piece it together as I wanted a certain subtleness about it, but matching the backing fabric in primary colors.

I haven't even taken a final measurement of it, but I'm fairly certain I started with about a 1 yard remnant. So, I'm guessing it turned out about 36"x44" or so. I did a royal blue flannel binding - note to self - flannel is a bit bulkier binding then quilting fabric so a 2 3/8" width might have been more forgiving in this instance.

peeking out over the top!

My little helper is holding up the front - so proud of his new quilt!

The back is the remnant piece that started the quilt....trains galore!

reveal and remnants

This quilt started with a flannel remnant. To say that my youngest son is obsessed with trains is an understatement. He absolutely loves them. As soon as he saw this he had to have it! Then came the question of what to do with it. He already has a train pillowcase that I made, but not a train quilt. I thought the pattern was a little busy for the front, so it is actually the back.



I usually only work with flannel when I make long pajama pants for wintertime (not really needed in Florida) but my older guy likes them anyway. So, sewing a quilt with flannel was new for me. I also received the walking foot for my Bernina machine for my birthday at the end of June. We were on holiday up north (Illinois) until mid-July visiting my family, so I've just now gotten to test it out....this has been a long time coming!! The last fuller size princess quilt I made for Project Linus had a lot of puckers and i was so disappointed in the quilting...I knew a walking foot would make a huge difference. I went with a simple straight line pattern from corner to corner creating a diamond shape. There are 2 small puckers on the back which could have been from lack of over-basting, but i'm so pleased with it otherwise.

I must admit binding is becoming one of my favorite parts of quilting....is that so wrong? I love picking it out, cutting it, mitering it and sewing it on - another excuse to use the walking foot as well. I also admit I do not do any handsewing....the few quilts i have look terrible...I just don't have the hand or patience for a perfect hand-sewn blind stitch. Machine sewing looks much better than my hand-i-work. I found the best tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts. It is very clear and concise and it works perfectly - I started my first binding at 2.5" width and realized quickly that was too wide for me. I narrowed it to 2 3/8" and have done this on my last 5-6 projects and finally narrowed it to 2.25" for this quilt and I think it will be perfect - it is an art to make the binding the right width for your personal sewing style.

I have 1/2 of the binding pinned and just need to finish and sew the back down...the rest of the quilt reveal will be tomorrow!

Join the Challenge...

I decided to join the challenge presented by Jacquie at Tallgrass Prairie Studio - the Improv(e) your Butt Challenge! I already cycle and run and try to do 2 long rides a week and have been slacking in the running department. I thought this might be a good way to get myself motivated. For every mile you log you get to add 1 piece of fabric to your Improv quilt. I have a few ideas I've been wanting to try - so maybe this will help me along.

You can particpate to by going to Jacquie's site and joining the Quilter's Butt team or join on your own on this site. You start in VA, and each mile you log takes your further across the United States, it is very fun! I have already logged my first 30 miles.

where's the fire?

Just finished packaging up this cutie shirt for a customer. Her little boy is wearing it on his 3rd birthday next month! I love all the detail in this shirt and different pieces.

In fact, my favorite part is how well the actual shirt compliments the fabrics and applique design! I am deciding whether to list a few of the designs on etsy for sale in custom sizes and similar fabrics....any thoughts? I usually use Old Navy t-shirts so I feel the sizing can be fairly universal if you shop there. Off to finish my train quilt - it is in flannels and it has been interesting quilting it versus stiffer quilting fabric.

finishes

here are some recent finishes in the last few months - i'm working on a firetruck shirt right now for a little boy's 3rd bday and doing a camera design for a photography friend. also turning my boyfriend jeans into 'girlfriend capri's' the wide leg just doesn't look good on me!

in the midst of quilting my little guys train quilt and should have pics of that soon! enjoy...

a few more new designs....

An adult tee with bird applique - this one turned out awesome!



A cute boy's tee with tractor and '3' for 3rd birthday shirt - for my friend Karin's son

up next are designs for robots, elephants, owls, cupcakes, dinosaurs, sailboats, firetrucks, dump-trucks and much, much more!

i have some fabulous ideas for simple, modern baby quilts....can't wait to show you!

what happens....

when your mom sews and can't find any cute boy clothes??



this happens.......

my friend karin and i have put together quite a few possible ideas and i will be sharing them with you over the next few weeks and months. some will become available for sale and custom sizing in my etsy store after quality testing is finished.

on another note here is a sneak peek at the 4 blocks going into my first Project Linus charity quilt. I am designing, constructing and quilting 2 quilts for Project Linus in SW Florida, which they donate to children in need. I chose to do 2 quilts for girls, since I have 2 boys at my house and do not get a lot of opportunity to play with girlie colors!! I will be piecing around these blocks and then I'm contemplating trying 'organic quilting' (this link shows a good example of what i'm talking about-she refers to it as random straight line, but myself and a few others say 'organic') with these, but i'm not completely certain yet.